Drivers born in early May running out of time

For immediate release

28 June 1999

Drivers born in early May running out of time

LTSA Manager Operations Rob Martyn today issued a reminder to drivers born in early May, and who have not yet upgraded to their photo driver licence, that they have little time left before their paper driver licence expires.

“With 216,000 photo driver licences issued so far we’re satisfied with progress but want to avoid last minute panics as these drivers rush to get their licences at the same time drivers born in July begin receiving upgrade packs,” said Dr Martyn.

Drivers have 60 days from their birthday to upgrade to the new photo driver licence. If they do not upgrade within that period they will be driving on an expired licence and risk a number of penalties, including an infringement fee of $400 and having their car impounded if they are caught driving and warned by Police, and then are caught again. Their insurance cover may also be jeopardised.

“We all have a part to play in making our roads safer and the new photo driver licences are a key initiative that all drivers should get in behind and support. Law-abiding drivers can quickly identify themselves to Police and get on their way with no hassles. Serious and repeat offenders, however, will feel the weight of tough new penalties aimed at getting them off our roads,” said Rob Martyn.

Under the new rules, 687 drivers have had their licences suspended at the roadside for driving more than 50 km/h over the speed limit or drink-driving at more than twice the legal limit. More than 1,000 vehicles being driven by disqualified, suspended and unlicensed drivers have been impounded.

“We had some teething problems in the first few weeks of the campaign, as one would expect with a project of this size, but these have been worked through and have now largely been solved,” Rob Martyn said. Over 270,000 transactions have been processed and 216,000 licences mailed out.

Nearly 4,000 drivers have had problems with their eyesight picked up by the new screening checks and returned with glasses to get their licences.
A new television advertisement targeting those born under the star sign of Cancer airs from tomorrow, 1 July, and upgrade packs will start being mailed out to another 200,000 drivers from Friday 2 July.

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